Dream big!

Children's Hospital Foundation lottery loaded with lavish prizes

Dream Lottery 4 Kids in support of the Children's Hospital Foundation is a bonanza featuring five grand prize options and a boatload of other lavish prizes. Tickets start at only $80, with 50/50 Plus and Big Score Plus add-ons."While there . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Shaking all over

Roofing expert weighs in with options

Just when I thought I'd covered the topic of roofing materials quite thoroughly (July 25 column), I received an email from Jeff Barnard, an insightful man who mostly agreed with my thumbs-down assessment of metal roofing, but felt further coverage . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Identifying sewer back-up protection

Question: I have recently applied for increased sewer back-up coverage on my house insurance. The broker has sent me a questionnaire asking whether my home has a backwater valve or other sewer back-up protection. My home is in built in . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Decorating choices can reduce allergies

Dust mites are one of the leading allergens in the home. They can cause sneezing, stuffy nose, coughing and other allergic reactions. Unfortunately, they are impossible to get rid of completely, but there are choices you can make when decorating . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Sold AUG 8 G2

SOLD:North KildonanADDRESS: 83 Thurlby Rd.ASKING PRICE: $329, 900SOLD PRICE: $318, 500TAXES: $3, 850.43SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1, 620BEDROOMS: 3BATHROOMS: 2LOT SIZE: 50 x 120LISTING & SELLING AGENT: Ned (Lorne) Sanders, RE/MAX Associates, 204-999-6571SOLD:Richmond WestAddress: 54 Kendale Dr.ASKING PRICE: $434, 800SOLD PRICE: $410, . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Affordable luxury

Tuxedo gem offers recent updates, bountiful amenities

You're a young professional or professional couple, and you're looking for an affordable home in a good neighbourhood.The home must also be spacious, relatively trendy and low-maintenance. You want to spend more time socializing and pursuing your favourite activities than . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Funky and functional

Sage Creek bungalow bursting with space and style

According to Liam Milne from Hearth Homes, the company's home building philosophy is a simple one. "We don't ever want our homes to be boring, " he said. "We want them to be fun, and super-practical. With this home, we . . .

Posted: 2015-08-08

Smorgasbord

A bounty of delicious flavours from the homegrown garden

This summer, in what has been an exceptional growing season, local backyards will be serving up a veritable smorgasbord of fresh flavours and signature dishes. Ask a vegetable gardener about their tomatoes, cabbages, beets, beans, zucchini or whatever else they . . .

Posted: 2015-08-01

Yellow tree leaves a symptom of hot, dry summer

A number of people have called me recently about the premature yellowing of tree leaves and the subsequent drop of many hundreds of those leaves. The trees that are the worst culprits are hybrid poplars including Swedish aspens, Amur maple . . .

Posted: 2015-08-01

Timber!

Cutting down the proverbial cherry tree

This column is about how to cut down a dead or living tree threatening to fall on your home or, worse, your neighbour's new deck and spa.Before you read on, please consider this caveat: In this politically correct world, it's . . .

Posted: 2015-08-01